Contributing new insights into chronic conditions

Aug 17, 2018

Share

Two major studies to which AKU has contributed are yielding surprising findings, some with the potential to prompt shifts in global health policies and guidelines.

Guidelines have recommended consuming no more than 1.5 -2.4 grams of sodium daily – the amount in a teaspoon of salt or less – to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. But the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study shows such a low level of sodium intake may not be healthy. Unique in its size and scope, covering 225,000 people in 25 countries, the study has collected data on noncommunicable diseases and a wide range of risk factors.

In The New England Journal of Medicine, the PURE investigators reported sodium intake below 3 grams is associated with a greater risk of heart problems than more moderate consumption of 3-6 grams. At the same time, they found that consumption above 6 grams is risky.

“There is no other study of this nature being done in the world, and few people grasp the whole scope and ambition of it,” said Professor Salim Yusuf of McMaster University, co-lead investigator of PURE a

"There is no other study of this nature being done in the world."Dr Salim Yusuf, Population Health Research Institute

nd Executive Director of the Population Health Research Institute in Canada. “PURE is beginning to have an influence on policy, and hopefully on practice as well.”

The Pakistan component of the study is led by AKU Associate Professor Romaina Iqbal, Professor Khawar Kazmi and Assistant Professor Iqbal Azam.

The Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia Surveillance Study (CARRS) is responsible for another surprising finding: 47 per cent of Karachi residents are either diabetic or at high risk of becoming diabetic, and roughly a quarter have high blood pressure. The study is a collaboration between AKU, Emory University in the United States and two institutions in India.

“Shock is pretty much the reaction we get to this data,” said Emory Associate Professor Dr Mohammed K. Ali. “Everybody asks, ‘How can they have these levels of metabolic and cardiac disease at such a young age and such low body-mass index?’”

One explanation is that South Asians are genetically predisposed to such problems – a possibility the authors hope to investigate further using blood samples from participants.

“This study will help in charting new strategies for dealing with NCDs,” said AKU Professor Muhammad Masood Kadir, the project leader in Karachi.

Two major studies to which AKU has contributed are yielding surprising findings, some with the potential to prompt shifts in global health policies and guidelines.

Guidelines have recommended consuming no more than 1.5 -2.4 grams of sodium daily – the amount in a teaspoon of salt or less – to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. But the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study shows such a low level of sodium intake may not be healthy. Unique in its size and scope, covering 225,000 people in 25 countries, the study has collected data on noncommunicable diseases and a wide range of risk factors.

In The New England Journal of Medicine, the PURE investigators reported sodium intake below 3 grams is associated with a greater risk of heart problems than more moderate consumption of 3-6 grams. At the same time, they found that consumption above 6 grams is risky.

“There is no other study of this nature being done in the world, and few people grasp the whole scope and ambition of it,” said Professor Salim Yusuf of McMaster University, co-lead investigator of PURE a

"There is no other study of this nature being done in the world."Dr Salim Yusuf, Population Health Research Institute

nd Executive Director of the Population Health Research Institute in Canada. “PURE is beginning to have an influence on policy, and hopefully on practice as well.”

The Pakistan component of the study is led by AKU Associate Professor Romaina Iqbal, Professor Khawar Kazmi and Assistant Professor Iqbal Azam.

The Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia Surveillance Study (CARRS) is responsible for another surprising finding: 47 per cent of Karachi residents are either diabetic or at high risk of becoming diabetic, and roughly a quarter have high blood pressure. The study is a collaboration between AKU, Emory University in the United States and two institutions in India.

“Shock is pretty much the reaction we get to this data,” said Emory Associate Professor Dr Mohammed K. Ali. “Everybody asks, ‘How can they have these levels of metabolic and cardiac disease at such a young age and such low body-mass index?’”

One explanation is that South Asians are genetically predisposed to such problems – a possibility the authors hope to investigate further using blood samples from participants.

“This study will help in charting new strategies for dealing with NCDs,” said AKU Professor Muhammad Masood Kadir, the project leader in Karachi.